Macau and mainland China celebrate National Day with ceremonies and festivities

A flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is held at the Golden Lotus Square, in Macau

Macau marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1 with a flag-raising ceremony, an official reception and public festivities, while large crowds gathered across mainland China for ceremonies and cultural celebrations.

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai attended the 8 a.m. flag-raising at Golden Lotus Square alongside approximately 600 guests, according to the Government Information Bureau (GCS). Representatives of central government institutions, lawmakers, judicial officials, community members, teachers and students joined the ceremony.

The Public Security Police Force ceremonial guard and the security forces’ drill team adopted Chinese-style ceremonial procedures for the first time, GCS said.

A reception followed at 9:30 a.m. at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex, bringing together about 1,200 guests, including former chief executives and representatives from different sectors.

In his address, Sam credited Macau’s progress to the central government’s support and pledged deeper reform, improved public well-being and a balance between development and security. He said the government would stimulate market vitality while addressing internal and external risks.

The public program included the National Day and World Walking Day Fun Run, starting after the flag-raising ceremony. Several museums offered free admission, while the evening fireworks program featured teams from China and Thailand, with displays scheduled for 9 p.m. and 9:40 p.m., GCS announced.

Xi called for confidence in national rejuvenation

In Beijing, more than 100,000 people gathered at Tiananmen Square before dawn to watch the national flag rise, Xinhua reported. The national anthem sounded around 6:10 a.m., followed by the release of white doves.

An 18-meter-high flower basket formed the centerpiece of the square’s decorations. National flags, floral displays, lanterns and traditional Chinese knots decorated streets and communities elsewhere in the country.

Xinhua documented students attending a flag-raising ceremony in Wuhan, a school choir performing in Shanghai’s Pudong district, and public ceremonies in Fuzhou and at the Potala Palace square in Lhasa. In Kunming, spectators watched a performance after the flag-raising.

The celebrations followed a September 30 reception at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People attended by President Xi Jinping and around 800 guests, according to Xinhua.

Xi called for confidence in national rejuvenation and efforts to meet the year’s economic targets. He also reaffirmed the “one country, two systems” policy and pledged central government support for Macau and Hong Kong’s integration into national development, linking the anniversary’s celebrations to the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, covering 2026 to 2030.